Sophia Loren | Nurture Self 365

Wow – can’t believe I’ve got 60 years under my belt already. In the blink of an eye . . .

It’s been an amazing life so far . . . with lots of ups and downs, good choices and bad . . . Every step of every day that has brought me to this day, is part of who I am now. In this moment, sitting here typing this for all the world to see.

Sixty years ago a thirty year-old young mother of three, gave birth to her 4th of 7 children in the midst of a frigid northern Ontario winter. I grew up in an atmosphere where children were seen but not heard. As the middle of seven, I learned to be invisible – to not cause any disturbance or trouble. To never question . . . to just obey. It was an idyllic childhood in many ways as we played outside from dawn till dusk, coming in only when we were hungry. It was a small town where everyone knew everyone, and everything. Dad moved us all to Northern California when I was 13 where I graduated from High School, married two weeks after Grad, and had my own two beautiful babies. Divorced in 1998, I moved back to my birth country and now live in the Greater Vancouver Area in British Columbia. I met my life partner in Aug 1999. We have been very happily married since 2003.

Life is good . . . so many memories created . . . so many more to create. Can’t wait to get started on the next 40+ years! My magic looking-glass envisions round the world travel, nurturing the artist within me that has lain dormant for so many years, and lots of time spent with the people I love so much: husband, kids, grandkids, extended family, friends old and new . . . lots to see, lots to do, lots to learn, and lots to share!

Thank you to all who’s path’s I’ve crossed for enriching my life and contributing to the person I am today. I vividly remember turning 40 and thinking that my life was on a downhill slope – I felt so old and could not see where my life was going. Then came 8 of the most difficult years of my life. Physical and medical issues along with severe depression, divorce, estranged from family . . . tough times. However, going thru that dark period brought me to a clarity and deeper understanding of who I am as a person, an individual and a Woman in my own right. Not a mom, wife, daughter, friend, employee, cook, housekeeper, manager of everybody and everything except myself. Each one of those things is a very integral part of who I am . . . however I’m discovering bits that have always been there but kept in the dark, a far off dream. I am also closer now to the people I cherish most, than I’ve ever been. I am incredibly blessed.

So – these next 40+ I dedicate to continually tilling and fertilizing my inner muse so that the dormant seeds can sprout, grow, bloom .. . and infect the lives of everyone I touch with joy, love and beauty.

Sophia Loren: There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age.

Joan Rivers: Looking fifty is great… if you’re sixty.